Message

The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum was established for the purpose of the collection, management, examination, study, and exhibition of ukiyo-e, along with enlightening people concerning ukiyo-e artwork, and contributing to the promotion of Japanese culture. I deeply appreciate all of the concerned parties and all of our supporters’ cooperation, by which these activities can be continued. And also I would like to thank all of the people who have visited the museum since it was established. From this point onward, I will have more substantial presentations, exhibitions, workshops, and more, fulfilling the mission of an educational institution with the staffs.

I will also do my utmost to deepen cooperation with local community and other museums, and I hope to help towards spreading Japanese culture.

I humbly thank you in advance for your continued support and cooperation.

September 2016Koji Sakai

History

Based on the Sakai collection, Japan Ukiyo-e Museum (JUM) was established as a comprehensive ukiyo-e museum. The collection is internationally known for the collection of c.a. a hundred thousand ukiyo-e prints, paintings, scrolls, old books and modern contemporary prints. The collection has been exhibited not only in Japan, but also in Europe, Middle East, United States, China and South America, and has received enthusiastic admiration.

The Sakai collection extends back for five generations from the present CEO to SAKAI Yoshiaki (sixth generation, 1776-1842) who was the second richest merchant in Matsumoto and built twelve big warehouses behind the shop. He was also an art patron. SAKAI Yoshitaka (seventh generation, 1810-1869) also collected fine arts and ukiyo-e. Utagawa Hiroshige painted his portrait in the kyoka poem book in 1836. SAKAI Touhyou-e (eighth generation, 1844-1911) established Sakai Kou-ko-dou Gallery in 1870 at Kanda in Tokyo (currently located in front of the Imperial Hotel) and through his knowledge and critical judgment he fostered many students and scholars of ukiyo-e community.

SAKAI Shoukichi (ninth generation, 1878-1942) founded “Ukiyo-e” -an academic periodical on ukiyo-e (fity-five number), and scientifically studied ukiyo-e for the first time. SAKAI Toukichi (10th generation, 1915-1993) established the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum under the collaboration of his brothers, Teisuke and Senzaburou in 1982. The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is featured with the world’s largest collection of ukiyo-e.